Countdown: 2012 Releases (9)

You guys know the drill by now...I'm always on the lookout for new finds and exciting new reads and below are just a few that I've come across lately. With how busy everyone gets if I don't write the titles down immediately I'll never be able to remember them later when I'm ready to download a new book to my kindle, or in the store wondering which shelf to look through first. So by posting these countdowns I give myself one more place to look when I need to be reminded of the titles I'm looking forward to.

And as always if you guys hear of any that you haven't seen me post let me know. Like I said, I only have so much time to search for future reads on my own, and to be honest, the majority of my favorite titles I owe to friends/bloggers/author recommendations. So leave a comment, shoot me an email, etc... if there are any books or authors you think I should have on my radar.

Countdown Pick #1: Immortal City (Immortal City, #1) by Scott Speer (04/03/2012)

L.A. Candy meets the mystery and romance of Fallen in this sensational debut

Jackson Godspeed is the hottest young Angel in a city filled with them. He’s days away from becoming a full Guardian, and people around the world are already competing for the chance to be watched over by him. Everyone’s obsessed with the Angels and the lucky people they protect—everyone except for Madison Montgomery.

Maddy’s the one girl in Angel City who doesn’t breathlessly follow the Angels on TV and gossip blogs. When she meets Jackson, she doesn’t recognize him. But Jackson is instantly captivated by her, and against all odds the two fall in love.

Maddy is swiftly caught up in Jackson’s scene, a world of glamour, paparazzi—and murder. A serial killer is on the loose, leaving dead Angels’ wings for the police to find on the Walk of Fame. Even the Guardians are powerless to protect themselves in the face of this threat ... and this time it’s up to Maddy to save Jackson.

This one sounds like so much fun! I was drawn to it by the cover admittedly and anything with Angels is usually a pretty big temptation that is almost impossible to resist but check it out...Angels are among us and apparently more famous than celebrities. Not sure how Speer will paint this completely crazy and yet alluring picture, but I'm anxious to see what he's got in mind. The idea that Angels are followed around like movie stars and people compete and go to crazy lengths to get the more popular Angel to watch over them sounds ridiculous but also wildly creative and sure to be an enjoyable ride. So hopefully Maddy can pull this one off and manage to save Jackson because this one sounds like too much fun to miss out on.

Countdown Pick #2: Keep Holding on by Susane Colasanti (06/14/2012)

Chew.
Swallow.
Chew.
Swallow.
Don't look up.
Lunch is the worst, but there's no safe place at school for Noelle. Keeping her mortifying home life a secret and trying to ignore the kids who make her life miserable are Noelle's survival strategies. Her emotionally distant boyfriend, Matt, isn't the one she really wants to be with. But there's no way she could ever be with Julian Porter.

When Julian starts talking to her, Noelle is terrified. It seems safer to stay with Matt than risk a broken heart. But when the bullying of a friend goes too far, Noelle realizes it's time to stand up for herself - and for everything that makes her keep holding on.

This one sounds like a tough but very moving read if you ask me. Everyone has either been picked on themselves growing up or seen it happen. It's awful and unfortunately something that will likely never go away. So while this might not be a very upbeat sort of story, hopefully it will be a moving one with a message to take away after the final pages are read. Although we're not read into what kind of family situation Noelle is dealing with, it obviously doesn't sound good and the idea that she has that to deal with on top of everything else is a tough pill to swallow. I can only hope that she gets a happy ending well deserved.

Countdown Pick #3: Once (Eve, #2) by Anna Carey (07/03/2012)

Sixteen years have passed since a deadly virus wiped out most of the Earth’s population. After learning of the terrifying part she and her classmates were fated to play in the rebuilding of New America, eighteen-year-old Eve fled to the wilds and Califia, a haven for women determined to live outside the oppressive rule of the king of New America. However, her freedom came at a price: she was forced to leave Caleb, the boy she loves, wounded and alone at the city gates. Eve quickly learns that Califia may not be as safe as it seems and soon finds herself in the City of Sand and the palace of the king. There she uncovers the real reason he was so intent on her capture, and the unbelievable role he intends her to fill. When she is finally reunited with Caleb, they will enact a plan as daring as it is dangerous. But will Eve once again risk everything—her freedom, her life—for love?

Brimming with danger and star-crossed romance, and featuring a vivid dystopian landscape, this electrifying follow-up to Eve, which bestselling author Lauren Kate called “a gripping, unforgettable adventure—and a fresh look at what it means to love” is sure to appeal to fans who crave the high-stakes adventure of The Hunger Games and the irresistible love story of Romeo and Juliet.

I can't even describe how much I wish I had this upcoming release in my hands this very second! When I finished Eve, I couldn't believe the way Carey decided to end it and I was crushed! It literally pained me that I wouldn't know what happened next until the second installment came out and I wasn't sure when that was going to be. But even now, July is so far away and all I want is to know what's going to happen with Eve and Caleb and if they'll be able to be together, and find their much deserved happily ever after. And I must say this synopsis has shocked me, I can't believe after all that work Eve is going to end up in the City of Sand after all! How that's going to work out I have no clue but it is sure to be a crazy adventure in the making and once again I can already see myself on the edge of my seat dying to know what happens next!

Countdown Pick #4: The One That I Want by Jennifer Echols ( 12/06/2011)

Gemma can’t believe her luck when the star football player starts flirting with her. Max is totally swoon-worthy, and even gets her quirky sense of humor. So when he asks out her so-called best friend Addison, Gemma’s heartbroken.

Then Addison pressures Gemma to join the date with one of Max’s friends. But the more time they all spend together, the harder Gemma falls for Max. She can’t help thinking that Max likes her back—it’s just too bad he’s already dating Addison. How can Gemma get the guy she wants without going after her best friend’s boyfriend?

OK OK, I know this isn't a 2012 release but I love Echols' writing so much that I couldn't resist, and it's not out until December so technically it's countdown worthy, but not a 2012 release. So please excuse the sneak in on my part, but who isn't excited about this one huh? Another Echols release and of course romance is involved. This one sounds a bit tricky but Echols has a way of writing so that her readers are with her every step of the way and so invested in her characters that if things don't work out well we're all devastated. So fingers crossed Gemma gets her act together and figures this whole sticky situation out so everyone gets their wish. Obviously that's a lot easier said than done but I'm hoping Echols works her magic and makes it happen for us.

Countdown Pick #5: Wake (Watersong, #1) by Amanda Hocking (08/21/2012)

Lose yourself in the magic of Watersong, an unforgettable new series about two sisters who nearly lose their lives - and their loves - when they fall under the spell of three beautiful but deadly sirens.

First in a four-book paranormal romance YA series from bestselling author, Amanda Hocking.

I can only say that 2012 is really starting to look up for me in the reading department. I can't believe how many releases are coming out from my favorite authors. Of course I'm excited to read some debuts and books by authors that are previously unknown to me, but there's something special about future releases coming out by an author you already know you love and can't get enough of. So when I saw that Amanda Hocking is not only coming out with one new series in the new year, but TWO, I was beyond ecstatic! I can't believe my luck. Once again I can only hope that her new releases and series' will be just as good and loved as much as her My Blood Approves series, but I can't see it turning out any other way. So jump on the bandwagon with me and get excited because Hocking is sure going to deliver in 2012.